Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Former Cowboys QB Romo fails in bid to qualify for US Open

Retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's bid to reach the U.S. Open golf championship ended in a local qualifier on Monday outside Dallas in Aledo, Texas.

Romo shot a three-over-par 75 at Split Rail Links & Golf Club and was not one of the seven qualifiers who finished two-under or better to advance to the sectional from a field of 115 hopefuls.

Romo was one-over after an eagle at the 14th hole but dunked his tee shot on the next in the water and took a triple bogey that ended his chances.

Three bogeys on the front nine left him three-over at the turn. Romo followed with a birdie at No. 10 but bogeyed No. 11. He closed the round by making a six-foot birdie putt on No. 18, but it was too little too late.

The Texas Golf Association estimated a gallery of about 200 turned out to watch the local favorite, who played quarterback for 12 NFL seasons and passed for 34,183 yards and 248 touchdowns.

Injuries and the emergence of Dak Prescott at quarterback last year as a rookie ultimately derailed Romo's football career. During the offseason, Romo took a job with CBS as its lead analyst for NFL telecasts on Thursday nights and Sundays.

Romo also tried to qualify for the U.S. Open in 2008, 2010 and 2011. In 2010, he made it to sectional qualifying but had to withdraw in order to participate in organized team activities with the Cowboys.

The 2017 U.S. Open will be played June 15-18 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin.